Julian: We can fix this! We can tear up the prenup amendment right now! Look!
Julian grabbed the ivory contract and ripped it violently down the middle, throwing the shredded pieces onto the polished floor.
Julian: See? It’s gone! We stay married. We run the firm together. You have the capital, I have the connections!
Margaret: Your connections are based on a reputation you completely destroyed, Julian.
Eleanor: Margaret, think of the scandal! If the press finds out that the Sterling patriarch doesn't own his estate, our social standing will be ruined!
Margaret: Your social standing was built on lies, Eleanor. You looked down on the caterers, the maids, and me, while living off borrowed money you never intended to repay.
Victoria: What am I supposed to do? I have an apartment lease in SoHo!
Margaret: You’re thirty-two years old, Victoria. Get a job and pay your own rent.
Margaret stood up from the table, smoothing her dress once more.
Julian: Where are you going?
Margaret: Up to the master bedroom. To pack your things.
Julian: My things? You can't evict me from my own house!
Margaret: The sheriff's department was served the eviction writ at 2:00 PM today. Two deputies are waiting outside at the security gate right now.
Julian stumbled out of his chair, rushing toward the front foyer windows.
Julian: There are police cars at the gate...
Margaret: They will give you forty-five minutes to take your personal clothes and toiletries. Nothing else leaves this house.
Eleanor: What about Arthur and me? Where are we supposed to go?
Margaret: Arthur has a guest cottage on the east wing. It was deeded directly into his name this morning, along with his restored pension fund. He will live comfortably for the rest of his life.
Arthur placed both hands on the table, bowing his head in quiet gratitude.
Arthur: Thank you, my dear. You have more honor than my own blood.
Eleanor: Arthur! Are you taking her side over your own son?
Arthur: My son destroyed our family legacy to feed his vanity, Eleanor. If you want to follow him into the street, that is your choice.
Eleanor stood frozen, her face drained of color as she looked between her defeated husband and ruined son.
Julian: Margaret, please! Don't do this! I will do whatever you want! I’ll get on my knees!
Margaret: Don't embarrass yourself any further, Julian.
Julian: Seven years! Doesn't seven years mean anything to you?
Margaret: It meant everything to me. Until I realized I was the only one in the marriage.
She turned toward the grand staircase, her low heels clicking firmly against the marble tile.
Margaret: Forty minutes, Julian. The deputies won't wait in the rain forever.